We stayed at the Paladim from 6 - 13 2008. It was not our first choice...we had chosen to stay at the Tropical Sol but Thomas Cook told us a week before that the property was not available so we agreed to stay at the Paladim. We had a one bedroomed apartment overlooking the pool which had a lovely big balcony. The apartment was very spacious indeed however the furniture was a bit basic. The kitchen (although a little dated), was spotlessly clean and was surprisingly very well equipped - every utensil you could think of was there. The cleaners came in every day and made / changed the beds and changed the bath towels, the service was really excellent. The location of the Paladim is ideal. There is a supermarket almost next door which is very handy, and there are also a few bars and small restaurants in the surrounding area however would suggest you use the tourist train (which leaves from outside the Brisa Sol, a 2 minute walk) for a good meal and drinks to take you to the old town / beach. We spent much time in the old town, in and particular the Snoopy bar which looks out onto the sea and the terrace is a real sun trap!! Look out for the "Elvis" wannabe, a black guy with two teeth in his mouth and an out of tune guitar. Very funny!! There are lots of lovely bars and restaurants to choose from though. The tourist train runs until 12.30am and is really reliable if you do not fancy catching a cab. I would not consider the Paladim to be a 4 star as it does need a little updating but overall had a really nice holiday and would definitely return to the Algarve!

we visited paladim last week in aug 1st in sept 2007 what a fab time we had. hotel very clean and friendly. snack bar does best omlette ever. our room faced the main road and i can tell you the entetainment provided from the watch roundabout was second to none. pool area excellentalthough just not enough sunloungers to go round.10 minutes on leaving hotel to the left you had old town or square whatever u prefer to call it 10 mins walk to the right you had the strip. beware of american bar at bottom of strip tho 20 euros for 2 drinks. great chippy across from it though. happy hols ; )

The bad points.......
The idea that this hotel is 4 star is laughable! I would give it a possible three star. The bathroom had a little black mould around the bath and (cracked) tiles. The bottom of the bathroom door was ragged and water damaged, as previously said by another reviewer. The TV remote control was non existant and you couldn't turn the volume down or up and to turn over the channels you had to stick your finger in a little hole and poke!
All this I could handle (scrub the tiles, stay away from the bathroom door for fear of bleeding toes, get hubby to change channels on TV......you know, the usual!) The thing I couldn't handle was after 3 days of being there, not seeing the room service, collecting my own toilet rolls......being told to take my own rubbish to the service room (It's true!) I went down to the reception and explained that we hadn't seen a maid or had our room cleaned. The male receptionist was quite rude and patronising. He didn't see the problem with having to use damp towels or food waste left in the kitchen bin for 3 warm days and told me I was overreacting.
ANYWAY...... Everything apart from the hotel was brilliant!!!!!
The good points.......
I went on this holiday on the 20th October with my husband and son (14). We flew with Thomas Cook from Newcastle which was fine. The hotel was ok........at first, clean, bright, with a good view of the pool which I had emailed the hotel and asked for.
The supermarket was literally next door with a good choice of food and drinks. There is a lower floor where you can buy Pizza Hut, burgers and a salad meal if you don't want to go too far. Very nice! Just across the busy road there is a MacDonalds or KFC if you have fussy eaters. There is also a great little chinese restaurant which we went to twice on our visit. Called Tim Tims. The food was amazing and the people who work there were so freindly and welcoming! Well worth a visit, I promise!
Anyway, enough of the food.......
There is a small road train just outside the hotel which takes you to the strip and the old town for just 3 euros and you use the same ticket all day.
Try the steak on a stone, it's brilliant! The beaches are fantastic and the old town is lovely to wander around in the evenings
A trip to the Zoo Marine is a must!.The dolphins were brilliant and the 4D cinema is amazing and educational, my son loved this day out!
A great holiday apart from the hotel!
Would we go back to the Hotel Paladim? NO WAY!
Would I go back to the Algarve? TRY TO KEEP ME AWAY!

Our family of four including teenage kids, stayed at the Paladim for two weeks in August and had an excellent time. Hotel was very clean and we had a pool view one bed apartment, room 208. Although I wouldn't really want a room on the otherside of the hotel as they look directly onto the busy road and directly above shops and cafes. Staff were very good and polite. Location of the hotel is great for Albufeira as it is directly in between the old town and the strip, it being a 15 minute walk to either.
If anyone would like any more info let me know.